Project Long- Arm Complete! (pics)

[WhiteXJMax]

Took about a week.. with my shop time.. tell me what you think
later, Max

The XJ..

 

[yellowxj]

Looks good and stout to me. Really thinking about a system like that in the rear. Looks like it could be so simple..........

 

[Dann]

Nice and simple. Should work well for you. Check your welds occasionally. I'm not trying to bust your cajones, but I fit and weld for a living and you have some severe undercutting on your UCA tabs, and a few other areas that may lack sufficient penetration. Keep an eye on the welded stuff for cracking and weld failure and keep practicing. Otherwise, good execution.
Dann

 

[Beezil]

I'm certainly not trying to bust you either.......

but your welder is a 120 volt machine, isn't it?

if not, it can get hotter than that.....

I'd crank it up and re-hit those welds.

otherwise, nice job!

 

[xman]

Nice job, looks good.

 

[Lucas]

Your rear DS looks thin, what brand is it?
Also not criticizing, just wondering.

 

[Burley]

Nice and simple. Should work well for you. Check your welds occasionally. I'm not trying to bust your cajones, but I fit and weld for a living and you have some severe undercutting on your UCA tabs, and a few other areas that may lack sufficient penetration. Keep an eye on the welded stuff for cracking and weld failure and keep practicing. Otherwise, good execution.
Dann

I just started welding about three months ago and was wondering what 'undercutting' is. ?

Burley

 

[Dann]

Undercutting is when your base metal or weldment gets washed into the weld leaving a concave or cut away appearance at the weld to weldment or base metal junction(s). It is usually caused by improper heat, speed, or insufficient filler metal. When welding metals of differing thickness, concentrate your arc on the thickest component to be welded and work the arc into the thinner metal quickly at a steady speed with out allowing the arc to wash away material from the thinner component. Hope this makes sense, because I am a lousy teacher. Dann

 

[Safari Ary]

Is no one going to comment on his scary looking welds to the unibody and his lack of cross-bracing from frame rail to frame rail?? Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't trust my life on those brackets that attach to the frame. The tabs that are welded to the brackets look decent, but the brackets to the frame look downright scary to me. Also doesn't look like any of the CA tabs are boxed. I would think that boxing them would reduce the chances of them folding over sideways. Are my concerns legitimate? or am I talkin out my a$$ here?

Ary

P.S. To the original poster, I'm not tryin to bag on your work, I think you've got a good start, just need some help here and there. Then again, I've never built a set of long arms, just armor and stuff, so my comments are all theoretical.

 

[Dann]

Well actually those were covered in my first post. Not specifically, just all the welding in general. I was trying to not be an a**hole, and not to totally rain on his parade. The lack of sufficient penetration applies directly to the CA tabs on the frame brackets. The weld is just sitting on the surface, like a line of caulk. Looks nice, but if you'll notice, the edges of the weld are rolled in and quite distinct from the weldment and base metal. Notice the rust line at the bottom, that is generally caused by moisture between the weld and base metal being released after cooling. And yep, I'd box 'em. Again, just trying to offer unsolicited constructive criticism. Hope you don't mind WhiteXJMax, just don't want you to kill yourself.

 

[RCP Phx]

Your rear DS looks thin, what brand is it?
Also not criticizing, just wondering.

Thats the exhaust pipe!!!!!!!!
The other pic is the front driveshaft yoke!!!

 

[BrianG]

Thats the exhaust pipe!!!!!!!!

other direction.

 

[Lucas]

Ok, the painted black tube attached to the joint coming out of his transfercase in the second to last pic, thats what im reffering to. It just looks like the overall diameter is thin compared to a stock shaft. Im assuming its aftermarket?

 

[Beezil]

ary....

first thing i noticed.....

I was trying to be constructive as much as dann was....

look back at both our posts.

 

[RCP Phx]

Ok, the painted black tube attached to the joint coming out of his transfercase in the second to last pic, thats what im reffering to. It just looks like the overall diameter is thin compared to a stock shaft. Im assuming its aftermarket?

What???????????Thats the "long arm".

 

[Lucas]

the "long arm" isn't connected to the "transfercase"

 

[M. Lake]

What???????????Thats the "long arm".

On the left side of the cross member (1" t-cse drop) is two long arms and their brackets, in midle of the two is stock front drive shaft. On the right side of the cross member, coming out of the 231 is a small black and pretty DS

 

[M. Lake]

We replied at same time

 

[Safari Ary]

Guess my reply came off a little harsh. I read all the replies first, I just didn't see anyone reply with the severity I thought was needed. Also, I didn't think anyone addressed the bracing issue at all(on the UCA mounting tabs or on the frame brackets. Anyway, wasn't meant as a bash, just constructive criticism with a push behind it. Best of luck to ya.

Ary

 

[RCP Phx]

Sorry Guys,with my screen setup I missed the fact that all the picture wasnt displayed!!!!!! I wasnt seeing anything rear of the crossmember!